Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Redmond Prindiville
• Official Registration Number: 21192
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: Linn & Craig, Gibraltar, Michigan
• Master Carpenter: John Craig
• Original Owner: Joseph Nicholson, Detroit, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Steambarge (Note: No cabin; round Stern)
• Specifications • Length: 147.6 ft (45 m)  Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m) Depth: 10.4 ft (3.2 m)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Propulsion: Screw-driven, powered by an engine from Detroit Locomotive Works
• Number of Masts: 1
• Gross Tonnage: 246.15 tons
• Cargo Capacity: 18,000 bushels

History & Service Life

• 1867: The Redmond Prindiville was launched on April 18, 1867, and enrolled in Detroit by May 8. She began service as a versatile steambarge, designed primarily for towing and bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. 1869: In September 1869, the vessel sank in Bay City, Michigan, on Lake Huron but was subsequently raised and overhauled in April 1871. By April 1, 1872, the vessel was owned by the Erie & Western Transportation Company of Erie, Pennsylvania. Later that year, on October 4, 1872, the Redmond Prindiville was involved in a notorious incident while towing a flotilla of schooners, including the Libbie Nau and the White Squall, on Lake Huron.

During a severe gale, the tow broke apart, leading to a collision between the Libbie Nau and the White Squall. The White Squall sank 10 miles off Fish Point, Lake Huron, with seven of eight crew members perishing when their Yawl capsized near shore. The Redmond Prindivillesurvived the incident and continued service.

1875: The vessel became part of the Anchor Line of Erie, Pennsylvania, reflecting her continued importance in the Great Lakes freight and towing industry  1881 By February 12, 1881, she was owned by Thomas D. Allen of Detroit. The vessel underwent repairs in April 1881 and later towed several barges, including the Sassacus, Keepsake, Arizona, and Shiawassee, primarily in the Cleveland and Au Sable lumber trade.

Final Voyage and Loss (1882)

• Date of Loss: May 10, 1882
• Final Location: Near Oscoda, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Stranded on Au Sable Reef in heavy weather
• Final Cargo: Lumber

While transporting lumber near Oscoda, Michigan, the Redmond Prindiville struck bottom on Au Sable Reef during a storm. The vessel became stranded and subsequently broke apart under the relentless pressure of the waves. She ultimately sank in the storm, though the crew was successfully rescued.

Despite the vessel being declared a Total Loss, her engine was salvaged in July 1882, a testament to the value of her machinery even after the Hull was irreparably damaged.

Final Disposition

The Redmond Prindiville was officially considered a Total Loss following her stranding and sinking on Au Sable Reef. Her documentation was surrendered in Detroit on June 30, 1882, marking the end of her service. While her engine was salvaged, the Hull likely remains in Lake Huron, contributing to the region’s extensive maritime history.

Notable Incident: Collision in Tow (1872)

Date: October 4, 1872  Location: Lake Huron, near Fish Point and Tawas, Michigan  Details: While towing a flotilla of vessels, including the Libbie Nau and White Squall, the Redmond Prindivilleencountered a severe gale. The Towline broke, and the Libbie Nau collided with the White Squall, causing the latter to sink. This incident resulted in the loss of seven out of eight crew members aboard the White Squall, marking one of the more tragic towing mishaps in Great Lakes history.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The Au Sable Reef near Oscoda, Michigan, where the Redmond Prindiville was lost, remains a known navigational hazard in Lake Huron. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating this area due to shallow reefs and frequent storms.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Conclusion

The Redmond Prindiville represents the hardy steambarges that were the backbone of Great Lakes freight and towing operations in the late 19th century. Built in 1867 by Linn & Craig in Gibraltar, Michigan, the vessel had a 15-year career, during which she survived sinking, overhauls, and a tragic towing accident in 1872 involving the White Squall. Her final demise came in 1882 when she stranded on Au Sable Reef and sank in heavy weather off Oscoda, Michigan. While the vessel herself was lost, her engine was salvaged, highlighting the continued value of her machinery even after the Hull’s destruction.

The Redmond Prindiville‘s story is emblematic of the perils and resilience of maritime operations on the Great Lakes, and her legacy lives on in the rich tapestry of Lake Huron’s shipwreck history.

Suggested Keywords: Redmond Prindiville steambarge, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Au Sable Reef maritime hazards, Great Lakes towing accidents, White Squall collision, Great Lakes lumber trade.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Steambarges of the Great Lakes, Great Lakes Towing Accidents, 19th Century Maritime Disasters.

Glossary Terms: Steambarge, Stranding, Towing Collision, Au Sable Reef, Great Lakes Maritime History.